. >>> the big story is the testimony in the trial of john leopold. it started with a member of his staff describe what she thought was illegal activity. we have nor from downtown annapolis. >> reporter: maryland state prosecutors say that john leopold used county police and county employees as his own personal gophers, ordering them to keep a watch for his opponents and some of his signs. today, a member of his own staff took the stand to testify about some of that behavior. >> reporter: emmett abbott said that leopold used and abused his county staff. but defense attorney bruce marcus had a different take, telling judge sweeney four out of the five charges against his client do not violate the law under the state's criminal statutes. marcus told the judge that the charges defy logic because leopold's behavior was the worst kept secret in the world. as testimony got underway, the state's first witness was patricia medlin, leopold's personal scheduler. when receives allowed to answer, she told the court she was afraid to say no to john leopold. she wa